I was a police officer for 3 years and a part-time personal trainer. I recently left the police force and became a full-time personal trainer. I started my own business (K-Ray Fitness LLC). When I started, I was only training online, but now I train online and in person. I am also a Nationally qualified Bikini bodybuilder. I have been competing for about 3 years now.
Age:
28
City, State/Province:
Monee, IL
Country:
US
Occupation:
Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach
In your opinion, weight loss is more of a fitness issue or a health issue and why?
Weight loss is more of a health issue. I believe it all starts with the mindset and the kitchen! Once your mind is right and you fuel your body the right way, then the rest will follow.
If you have 100 tokens in total and you could apply them to the following categories, how many would you apply to each?
- Fitness level: 30
- Health level: 70
Thoughts on HIIT, Powerlifting, TRX, Yoga, bodybuilding, others?
I think all of these are great! That’s why I love fitness! Whatever you enjoy doing there is something for everyone.
How did your passion for fitness start? And what was the biggest challenge you have faced on your journey?
I was an athlete growing up so I always loved being competitive and loved being in the gym. Then after my basketball career ended I felt avoided. I was still working out but felt like I was missing a purpose. That is when I looked into bodybuilding and competing on stage. Putting my love of fitness and having a purpose. While competing I learned so much about the body and mind. This pushed me to go back to school and turn my passion into a career. I became a personal trainer and nutrition coach. I wanted to share my passion for fitness with other men and women and hope it would help improve their lives as it has done for me!
Share your unique training/coaching methods?
I think what separates me from other trainers and coaches is that I believe in improving the mindset first! The mind is the strongest muscle in the human body. Without a strong and positive mind, you will not reach your fitness goals, but with the right mindset, you can achieve anything! My boyfriend and I came up with a phrase that I live by and preach to my clients daily. Accept it. Own it. Crush it. Below is the mission statement for my company and my gym!
MY MISSION STATEMENT
Accept it. Own it. Crush it.
AOC is a mindset… a mood if you will.
No matter what life brings you. Whatever obstacles come at you. Whether it’s weight loss, mindset, relationships, work, school, career, finances, family, friends. Literally, any type of adversity applies to AOC.
I live by AOC’s three simple steps.
Accept It – No matter what you come face to face with, it’s there, nothing you can do about it, accepting the issue on hand and doing the best you can to fix it, overcoming or simply resolving.
Own It – There it is, at your feet, waiting for you to do something with it. Own it, you can certainly choose to sidestep, jump over and ignore the problem or bend down pick it up and make the best of the situation you possibly can.
Crush It – We all know putting issues off to the side or back burner doesn’t make them go away. Doing your best every damn day, crushing everything that comes at you and making yourself better today than yesterday is the ultimate feeling of accomplishment and will push you to the next level YOU! Make yourself proud.
AOC BABY! COME ON! LETS GOOOOOO!
Training Plan:
Weight training and cardio are both important tools!
Nutritional Plan:
I believe in just eating a balanced diet! Get those Macronutrients and Micronutrients in your body! I also am a big believer in getting that protein intake in!
Supplement Plan:
Daily vitamins and I love probiotics to aid with gut health.
Do you prefer to take and recommend all-natural (no sugar, no artificial colours/flavours/sweeteners) supplements or supplements with artificial flavours and sweeteners? And Why?
Please describe the importance of mental health? Mental health is everything! Like my AOC Motto above. With the right mindset, you can accomplish anything in your life!
Take us through a typical day in life for you?
I get up around 6 am every day and get my training done. I eat breakfast and look over my schedule for the day. I have in-person training clients throughout the day and I check in with my online clients. I usually train my last client around 6 pm and then I settle down, eat dinner, spend time with my boyfriend and puppies and get some sleep! Then I do it all over again the next day!
What separates Status from other fitness magazines?
Status really puts importance on the health of your mind and stomach! I absolutely love that and agree those are the two most important.
If you could ask Status Fitness Magazine Editor in Chief Rodney Jang any industry question, what would that be?
What made you fall in love with fitness?
Describe your coaches and the impact they have on you?
My body-building coach is Adam Atkinson and my posing coach is Kate Lane. Both have made a huge impact on my fitness journey and have given me the confidence I need to compete on that national stage!
Can you share with us your goals for fitness and life?
My goal for my personal life is to grow AOC GYM! I would love to make it a franchise one day. For my fitness goals, I would love to reach that Pro stage and win my Pro Card.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
I have learned that the body is truly a science! Nutrition, Training and the Mind are all equally important to a body transformation and it transitions over to your daily life!
5 most important attributes you see in a person?
Positivity, Humor, Work Ethic, Discipline, Passion.
If you could inspire one person, who would that be? And why?
Women! I want someone to look at me and my story and say if she can do then so can I!
Who inspires you? And why?
Wonder Woman! I am a huge wonder woman fan because she is a strong woman and she reminds me to be strong even when I don’t feel like I can be.
What is your number one tip for people on their fitness journey?
Focus on the baby steps that lead to that ultimate goal! Focus on today and Enjoy the process!
What does success look like for you?
Success is being happy! Enjoy what you do every single day.
What is your favourite quote to live by?
“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done. Now, if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that.” – Rocky Balboa
Connect with Kaitlyn: IG | Website
Photos By: Randy Villalta
